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Josh Dyer and Jared Warren will rematch with interim light heavyweight gold on the line at BKFC 47.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the Bare Knuckle TV app and Fite TV with the pugilistic proceedings emanate from Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, Florida.

Dyer spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News prior to the prizefight. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Josh Dyer

How does your bare-knuckle journey across Valor BK and now BKFC tie into the history you have with Warren as this rematch looms closer?

“So I was actually a little intimidated with bare-knuckle fighting when it first became a big thing. I didn’t really want to be a part of it because everything I do uses my hands. So I’m not trying to bust them all up. My manager was just like hey, bud, should I give them (Valor BK) a call? Just kind of see what the pay is and you know, maybe we should consider it? I was just like nah, I don’t really think it’s worth it. But I mean it is what it is, we can at least see the money.”

“You know they called and he called me back. He told me what it was and I was just like damn dude, that’s like five times more I’ve ever been offered. So I was just like who is it against? Figured out oh it’s a UFC veteran (Dane Sayers). Alright cool, we’re gonna go ahead and try to whoop his ass. We accepted the fight, we took it, we finished him in the first which was the gameplan. From there that fight got us into the bare-knuckle scene over in BKFC.”

BKFC 47

“They told us we were going against a nobody in the beginning. I tried a new manager and he kind of screwed me a little bit. Set me up with Jared Warren and told me that he was like a nobody. Didn’t have any real skills, nothing like that, weak chin, all that. So I was like alright, cool. So I went there, tried to finish him in the first, couldn’t do it. Second, couldn’t do it. Third, you know. Ended up finishing him (in the fifth round) with just overall volume but I was actually kind of discouraged in that moment.”

“Because I was just like damn, I thought I was a somebody and I’m struggling to beat this dude. Then we found out from his team that he was like an amateur world kickboxing champion, he had some skills. I was considering retirement after that (laughs). I was like if the guys are this tough then I’m like ****, I might not belong in this scene. Then I found out he was actually like a top contender, undefeated freakin baller on the BKFC circuit and all of that. I was just like alright, cool.”

BKFC

The first Warren fight saw both of you fight your sophomore bare-knuckle boxing bouts. What are the notable differences with both of you heading into this rematch?

“Tremendous differences, yeah. So on Jared’s end, he went from being a dude that could strike outside the pocket really well but like seemed like he didn’t really like to be in too tight to being a dude that just knows he’s powerful and he just bangs. He trusts his chin, so like he’ll get in there and he’ll exchange with people and he hurts them. So I’m just like yo, that’s what’s up. That’s my style also. I love to exchange with people.”

“You know, sometimes people they’ll crack me really good. You see this awesome look on their face like **** yeah, he’s probably hurt. Then I just come and crack them with like six more. It’s like they almost hesitate after they hit you and I see that with a lot of Jared’s opponents. When he cracks them or they crack him, they’ll almost take like a little second to wait and see if he’s going to drop or not then Jared just ******* cranks him with like six or seven, it’s crazy (laughs).”

Josh Dyer continued, “So we have a lot of similarities in our style now and yeah he’s a great dude. I really like Jared Warren. I would describe us as friends. We’ve been chatting it up for years. He’s a really good dude and I root for him every time that it’s his turn to fight. If he ends up taking the W in this one then **** it, you know. He deserves it, he earned it, he’s a great dude, and I’ll just have to come and get it next time for that trilogy.”

Photo via @bareknucklefc on Twitter

Josh Dyer vs Jared Warren II

You have a one hundred percent finishing rate in your bare-knuckle bouts while Warren has an eighty percent finishing rate in BKFC. Is it safe to say this one ends inside the distance and do you have a defined visualization for how you see this fight ending?

“I can guarantee you it won’t go the distance. Yeah, that’s a bet that I would take (laughs). Yeah, this fight won’t go the distance and I guarantee that because I set a pace that it can’t. Like it can’t happen. I eliminate the distance as being an option because either I’m gonna exhaust myself and get finished or I’m gonna finish you because I’m putting more of a pace than what you are because you’re trying to stretch it out. So one of us is going to get finished. That’s the guarantee that I have when people watch me.”

Josh Dyer continued, “I don’t do decision wins. I won’t, I refuse it. Yeah, it’s going to be a finish, a hundred percent. I do foresee it going my way. I think Jared is a really good fighter but I’m way more creative. So it’s really good. He’s the better technical fighter, I think he’s got the cleaner one-punch knockout power. But I think I’m a little bit too creative for him. So I think he’s gonna get caught.”

The post Josh Dyer on Jared Warren Rematch for Interim Gold at BKFC 47 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Jared Warren and Josh Dyer will rematch with interim light heavyweight gold on the line at BKFC 47.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the Bare Knuckle TV app and Fite TV with the pugilistic proceedings emanate from Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, Florida.

Warren spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News prior to the prizefight. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Jared Warren

Seems like you would have preferred to be more active in recent times having not fought this calendar year so far. Did things almost pan out in an ideal way though with this big co-main event, interim title opportunity coming out of all this?

“You know what I mean, I am happy that it is for a title. You know even though unfortunately it’s the interim. It should be either for a vacant or fighting against Lorenzo (Hunt) if he would defend it. Yeah like after my last fight in November, I was told that I was going to fight the winner of Lorenzo and (Mike) Richman. Which was cool, I was happy with both those matchups.”

“But it panned out like it did and regardless of who won or lost, you know, Richman dropped down to 175 and then Lorenzo started his big talk about wanting to go to heavyweight. So it’s kind of made it a pain, so. That didn’t pan out like I originally thought it would. So this is kind of the next best thing. I did ask for this fight against Josh Dyer.”

Jared Warren continued, “He’s the only one that’s truly beat me before. It’s been a few years in the making and I’ve just come a long way since then. I figure there’s no better way to test yourself than an apples-to-apples situation. Where you can rematch with somebody that you fought prior to making a lot of training-type changes. So yeah, man, all in all even if there wasn’t a title involved I would still want to fight him for the rematch-type purposes. So I’m happy with how things are.”

BKFC

You get a chance to avenge things in this rematch here and with interim gold on the line in your home state as well. Both you and Dyer were having your sophomore bare-knuckle fights during the initial bout. What are the biggest differences in yourself as well as Dyer heading into this rematch?

“There’s a lot of differences for me as far as the ability that I’ve gained over the last couple of years. Because the majority of my fights prior to my little MMA stint were kickboxing. So yeah I was a really good kickboxer, had a lot of success there and stuff. But my first couple of fights, I didn’t have a regular coach. I didn’t have anybody to train me and I was just kind of going off of hey I don’t have a fight. All I got to do is just get in shape and I can probably excel pretty well. But I quickly saw that wasn’t the case.”

“There is a big difference between only throwing hands and being a kickboxer. A lot of different movements, a lot of different stances, footwork, head movement, all that stuff. So yeah, after my loss to him, I got invited over to Shift MMA. Immediately saw how much there was to learn, how much stuff I didn’t know. So it’s been a huge adjustment for me. Like even if this rematch didn’t happen, I do know that I’ve gotten better over the last couple of years.”

Jared Warren vs Josh Dyer II

Jared Warren continued, “I wouldn’t have made it to where I am if I hadn’t started training with them. But again this is a good true test getting to rematch with somebody before and after my training changes. For Dyer, I like to assume that he has learned things over the years too. I mean as long as he’s still actively interested in fighting, why would he not? But that being said there hasn’t been a lot to watch, to see of his. Because he hasn’t been as active as I have since we fought. He’s only had a few since then.”

“Win or lose, his fights usually go pretty quick. So there wasn’t a whole lot of stuff to see, if he’s made any big adjustments or not. I think for the most part he is going to be similar to how he was before. But that being said, you know what I mean like haven’t got a chance to see a ton. So he’s probably improved along the way which is cool. Makes for a more interesting fight for the two of us. So I’m excited about it, man.”

Photo via @bareknucklefc on Twitter

BKFC 47

You have an eighty percent finishing rate in the sport and Dyer has a one hundred percent finishing rate in bare-knuckle boxing. Is there a predominant visualization for how this fight here ends?

“If I was betting money, I would bet that it won’t go the distance. Usually, the only time fights do as far as like they do with me, the only time they have gone the distance is two situations. One, if somebody kind of holds and hugs the whole time. The other is if someone tries to keep away the whole time. If someone’s only goal in a fight is to not get knocked out, they can make that happen. They can keep their distance, they can run away.”

Jared Warren continued, “They can stay far enough to where they make it through the round. They’re obviously still not gonna win by doing that but they can make it through the rounds. That being said, that’s obviously not his style. I don’t see him running for any reason. I don’t run away. So you’ve got two guys that are on the bigger side of the weight class that like to go after it, there’s very little chance of it going the distance.”

The post Jared Warren on Josh Dyer Rematch for Interim Gold at BKFC 47 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

David Mundell defends his middleweight title against Mike Richman in the main event of BKFC 47 on July 14th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the Bare Knuckle TV app and Fite TV with the pugilistic proceedings emanate from Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, Florida.

Mundell spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this bout. Excerpts from the chat are below.

David Mundell

With a lot of fighters and followers of combat sports in general putting so much stock into the idea of securing that first title defense, does this fight feel particularly special or is it business as usual?

“It’s definitely important to me but it also is business as usual. This is what I train for, what I’ve been training for. I am super excited about this one because now I get to, you know; We’ll win this fight and then actually go out and celebrate and be cheerful for it. Last one was kind of bittersweet. So this is one I’ve definitely been looking forward to… My last fight was against (Francesco) Ricchi and he’s a friend of mine. We never got to train together or anything but if we were in town with each other we’d meet up.”

“You know, go share a drink, or eat some sushi. Some **** like that but it was business. We’re both trying to eat and it just happened. But with this fight coming up, facing (Mike) Richman is awesome because I have no ties with him. I didn’t know who he was up until BKFC and he’s got a lot of hype behind him. Everyone thinks he’s this great guy and I look forward to proving them all wrong.”

Photo credit to Phil Lambert/ BKFC

BKFC

Your next opponent Richman is a former interim light heavyweight champion in the organization and regarded by many as one of BKFC’s best pound-for-pound. X’s and O’s-wise, what are some of the better stylistic attributes that ‘The Marine’ has?

“I guess just his ability to dig deep and keep going but I mean, I really don’t know. I’m not impressed by much of what I see. We fight very similar styles. Maybe just the fact that he’ll push forward. That’s a tough one. Like I’m trying to dig to find something nice to say (laughs) but I just can’t. Like I’m just not impressed. Honestly, I’m just not worried about him… I’m sure as everyone knows we’re both southpaws, you know. So we all take the same angles against our other opponents who usually stand orthodox.”

“So now that we have two southpaws in there together, like those certain angles that we’re used to don’t work anymore. I train with southpaws every day. Jared Warren is (a) southpaw. I’ve got other teammates, Knox is a southpaw. So I’m constantly moving with these guys. So it’s not uncomfortable for me. It’s just another day in the office. On top of that, I just feel like I’m a bigger guy.”

“I feel like I have way better accuracy, way better eyes. Just movement, footwork, everything. So I just feel like I’m better than him everywhere. Again, I just can’t wait to show everybody.”

BKFC 47

You have a pair of MMA bouts with Mike Perry and seem keen on a bare-knuckle bout with him. Not overlooking Richman obviously but has there ever been any dialogue about a Perry fight in BKFC?

“So obviously yeah, we do have history in MMA. That dude is tough and I don’t mean that as a compliment. Because he just gets beaten and he takes it and that’s good for him. But back in the day, I literally took him a little light. I went in there and I exhausted myself whooping his ass until the end when I finally got caught. I know I’ve grown as a fighter since and I feel like he’s actually regressed a little bit.”

“Don’t see anything remotely decent that he does. It’s just very sloppy. He banks all off of; he thinks he’s powerful. So he banks off his power and being tough. In this world of BKFC, you can’t do that. Because I’ll slice him up. If he gets too overzealous and he jumps in too hard, I’ll put him smooth out too.”

Photo via @bareknucklefc on Twitter

David Mundell vs Mike Richman

Eyeing titles in multiple divisions, there must be some peripheral awareness of the interim light heavyweight title fight that is the co-main event of this card. What are your thoughts on that Warren vs Dyer rematch fight in the context of your own career?

“I’m just looking to dominate the ’75 pound division until there’s no one left in my way. Then I’ll move up and I’ll take out the next weight class. Then we can start talking about that pound-for-pound spot… I a hundred percent am interested in that fight, that’s my boy Jared (Warren). He’s my teammate, my main training partner. Which is the whole reason why I fight at ’75 (laughs) and I let him handle the ’85 pound class right now.”

David Mundell continued, “It’s kind of funny because we joke around saying like I’m going to hold the belt below and above his weight class. So I wouldn’t go to ’85 next unless he decided to stop fighting for whatever reason. I guess I would start looking at the 205 class.”

The post David Mundell on Mike Richman Title Defense at BKFC 47 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Mike Richman contends for the middleweight title against David Mundell in the main event of BKFC 47 on July 14th.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on the Bare Knuckle TV app and Fite TV with the pugilistic proceedings emanate from Jenkins Arena in Lakeland, Florida.

Richman spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this bout. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Mike Richman

Every BKFC fight has been a main event sans one co-main event. How does it feel to keep the trend alive and again be topping the marquee?

“I firmly believe that I’m still on the top of the rankings pound for pound. But not just the pound for pound, I’m up there on top when it comes to BKFC fighters that the fans, fighters, and everyone want to watch. I think there’s something to be said that Dave Mundell and his team, they searched up me. They wanted to fight me and I don’t think Mundell has got a very big name for himself yet even though he’s the champion.”

Mike Richman continued, “But obviously coming to fight me and if he can take me out, I think he knows that can kind of put him in a higher light. I think he’s trying to take an opportunity at me coming off that knockout loss. So it’s just a perfect opportunity for everyone involved.”

BKFC

You’re eyeing titles in multiple divisions even as low as 155 pounds. It seemed like you were teasing a few months back that you had several potential big options for fights but when was Mundell locked in as the specific next opponent?

“Well, I think it was always in the picture. It was always in the picture for me to fight for the 175-pound title when (Francesco) Ricchi was the champ. It was scheduled for me to fight at 175. We were unsure if that fight was going to happen in the timeframe that we wanted. So then obviously Lorenzo and I started having our little bit of beef online and then we had the run-in with each other at a show in Hollywood. Then they were unsure if he was going to vacate or what he was going to do next.”

“So then I think it was about six weeks out, they were like hey, do you want to fight for the interim light heavyweight title? Do you want to fight for the interim 185-pound title against (Isaac) Doolittle in Denver? This is while I’m still unsure. I’m supposed to be fighting for the 175 (title) next but the date and the venue wasn’t secure. This was secure and I’m like well you know what if I want to fight Lorenzo, I still want to keep going down this path.”

“Instead of just talking the talk and then just ignore it and us never fight then yeah, let me go fight Doolittle. Let’s go out there and beat Doolittle and I know Lorenzo’s going to have to fight me after that. So just kind of a fork in the road came and then I took the ’85 route.”

“So then when I’m done with that little run, the opportunity for me was still there with the company. They still wanted me to go back down and fight for the ’75 title. Which means a lot, they still definitely value me in the company in multiple weight classes. So that’s good.”

BKFC 47

What are your thoughts on Mundell’s title-winning effort vs the aforementioned Ricchi and the general BKFC arc of ‘Redneck’ so far?

“I think the win over Ricchi, you know, Ricchi is a talented fighter. Obviously after the Mundell fight and then you had the (Erick) Lozano fight I believe is his name, then you started to see maybe Ricchi’s chin reached it’s expiration date with Mundell. Because he was a talented fighter but he got caught and he got put away. As far as Mundell’s reign, I just don’t think he gets enough credit. Understandably so, he’s a soft-spoken dude. He doesn’t do much talking really.”

“It seems like he’s starting to try to do more talking, starting to have more of a social media presence. I know his coach backs up all his fighters. I think he’s really trying to find his identity as a fan-favorite guy. Before his two knockout wins, he wasn’t really getting many knockouts. He wasn’t really a big knockout guy in MMA either.”

“So then now he’s feeling himself, he’s got two knockout finishes. Now he wants to establish himself as an entertaining fighter. Before that he was a lot of footwork, a lot of head movement. He didn’t really slip and counter, just a lot of slips. Now he’s starting to put his game together. Now he’s got to test his skillset against me.”

Mike Richman vs David Mundell

Is this fight now the most compelling that it’s ever been considering your comments about Mundell coming into his own more?

“Yeah, I think it’s a compelling test for me, for him. It’s a compelling test for me. One, I got to go out there and see if my chin didn’t reach its expiration date and go out there. Because I’m an exciting fighter. I’m gonna go get in the pocket and I’m going to bring the fight to you. You’re never going to be booing one of my fights. I’m going to go in there and I’m going to bring the action. So it’s compelling for me to go back in there. To show the fans, to show everyone that I’m still the cream of the crop.”

“For him, it’s compelling for him because now he needs to really show has he elevated to the highest level. I think it’s good in his favor because his skillset is tightening up. If he fought me a couple of years ago, he would’ve been in big trouble. But I think he’s really putting his game together now where it can be a good fight. Two southpaws going at it, two skillful guys going at it. It’s going to be exciting.”

The post Mike Richman on David Mundell Title Bid at BKFC 47 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Rico Franco collides with Kaleb Harris in the main event of BKFC 46 on July 1st.

The fistic fireworks transpire at Walker Activity Dome in Newcastle, United Kingdom, and will be broadcast on FITE TV as well as the Bare Knuckle TV app.

Franco spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News to touch on the machinations of this matchup, rebounding from his life-threatening illness, the former BKB champion’s desire for BKFC gold and big-name fights, plus so much more. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Rico Franco

What were your initial thoughts getting this bout offer from a former welterweight title challenger and ranked 165-pounder in Harris?

“Yeah, it was perfect. It was exactly what I wanted. Me and my manager, we wanted someone in the top five that was ranked in the world. We got Kaleb and it was a perfect matchup. On paper, he’s a perfect matchup. We’ve both had ten bare knuckle fights, both same age, MMA background.”

“So on paper, this is a really good matchup. So yeah, I’m really, really happy I get to fight someone from America and I get to main event, headline Newcastle BKFC. Yeah I’m really excited. Really excited to just show up and perform as well.”

BKFC Newcastle

Seems like you want to stay quite active this year. Is there a scenario where you see yourself vying for a title by year’s end considering your current trajectory?

“I want to stay active. I want to get out to the States. Want to get over there and fight people. But I think after this fight, I’m definitely up there deserving a shot. Either someone who’s number one or I don’t know how the ranking works. But you know I think there was talk about getting a world title fight against the champion. Obviously (Luis) Palomino’s got the belt in my weight division. So yeah, I think I definitely deserve that shot after. If I make a statement and when I finish Kaleb Harris, it’ll be a big statement.”

“No one’s finished him. So I definitely believe I deserve that shot… I am going for the stoppage. Every fight I go for the stoppage. So to stop someone like Kaleb who is very tough like myself and I don’t think he’s been stopped yet. So to stop him, I believe I’ve got the skills to do that. It’ll definitely make a big statement and it’ll get all the Americans talking.”

BKFC 46

You were once suffering from a bowel disease that nearly ended your life. What was the entirety of that timeline like?

“That’s what I believe separates me from a lot of other minds. I feel like my mindset just feels indestructible. There’s just no fear whatsoever and my mind’s so focused on just every fight. Fight by fight, I’m not looking past any fight and I’m just visualizing every day. But I think going through that process of nearly dying and coming back, it’s just grown me in loads of different ways. Now that I’m not sore from the illness, I can train properly and I’m not struggling anymore.”

“I didn’t realize how unhealthy I was with my illness. Now I get to train and I get to train knowing now. I feel like I just keep improving every time now. It’s nice to be healthy and train and fight… It was crazy and it’s been a mad old journey. Obviously being from rock bottom to going to a big high again. I thought my career was over when the surgeon was saying you won’t be able to fight again. Having my stomach ripped out, you know, it was a really dark moment.”

Rico Franco continued, “But obviously, with the right people around me, I’ve just grew and I sucked it up. I think it’s a journey. I’ve enjoyed the journey of coming back and now I just want to keep excelling. I’m going all the way to the top.”

Rico Franco vs Kaleb Harris

You cemented yourself as a champion in BKB. How much would a BKFC belt really bolster your resume overall?

“Winning a world title in one promotion is massive. But winning it in another promotion just proves I am the best bare-knuckle boxer on the planet pound for pound. That’s my goal and I want to be going down as a legend in the future. I want people to be looking back at me and saying my name. Saying yeah, he’s the best bare-knuckle boxer and I will make it happen, a hundred percent.”

The post Rico Franco on Kaleb Harris Main Event at BKFC 46 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Tommy Turner and Barrie Jones battle for the Police Gazette middleweight world title at BYB 18 on June 25th.

This huge cross-promotional event between BYB Extreme and BKB emanates from Indigo at The O2 Arena in London, England, and broadcasts in North America on BeIN Sports.

Turner spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this US versus UK showdown. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Tommy Turner

Can you speak to your rich historical appreciation of bare-knuckle as you get ready to compete for a title with one of the deepest lineages in all of combat sports?

“So when I started boxing, one of the guys I had looked up to and obviously you hear of is John L Sullivan. The Police Gazette diamond belt is the oldest belt out there. From the 1800’s where boxing belts started and I think the first one was 1922. So just being able to fight for the same title and belt that he fought for, I feel absolutely honored. To fight Barrie (Jones), someone that I absolutely respect. The guy’s a stud and he’s a humble guy. He’s hard to not like. So just being able to fight this guy is a pleasure.”

BYB vs BKB

You’re fighting a three-weight titleholder and one of the best fighters in all of bare-knuckle boxing. What do you think some of Jones’ better stylistic attributes are?

“Stylistically, we’re super similar to each other from what I’ve seen. I’ve seen a lot of his boxing stuff and I’ve seen all of his bare-knuckle fights. Other than me being right-handed and him being a southpaw, we both come forward. We both press the action, we both like to bang quote unquote. So I mean it’s; stylistically I think the fight’s perfect for me. I mean we are in the Trigon, so there’s not a whole lot of dancing and moving anyway. But even if we were in a big ring, he’s not a dancer.”

Tommy Turner continued, “He wants to bring the action and fight and see who goes down first. That’s what I want to do. So I think it’s a win-win for both of us. I believe we’re both A-side in this fight. The fans are going to get a fight of the year, I believe.”

BYB 18

What are your thoughts on this Police Gazette Cup and the BYB versus BKB dynamic to uplift the sport of bare-knuckle boxing overall?

“I think it’s great for the sport, you know. Having BYB and BKB kind of work together and though there’s a lot of talk between us, crap talk, most of it’s just kind of joking around and giving each other a hard time.
These guys are helping each other grow. The other promotion out there is just kind of trying to do their own thing. So having these guys work together and making this international is awesome.”

“Then being able to fight in this international cup, every fighter that fights on this card is going to be forever remembered in the sport of bare-knuckle boxing. So I just feel like I’m in a dream still. Just excited for it and then my debut they asked me who would you like to fight? I said well, I know I’ve got to work up to it but I want Barrie Jones eventually.”

Tommy Turner continued, “Then in my second fight they’re like hey, you’re going to fight in the first-ever international cup against Barrie Jones in the main event for his title. So it’s just kind of happening fast, you know, and I’m thankful for it.”

Tommy Turner vs Barrie Jones

Have visualized Scott Burt wrapping that Police Gazette belt around your waist and said it will be among the greatest day of your life. Do you have a particular vision for how the fight itself ends or is it more adapting and being fluid in the fight?

“A little bit of both. Adapting is kind of always in my game plan. But we do have a game plan and that’s; obviously, in studying him, every fight he’s done has been coming forward. Every fight I do is going forward. So the way I see it is whoever gets the biggest cut and the doctor stops it or whoever lands the right shot on the button. One of us is either going to sleep or we’re going to cut the other guy up so bad that they’ve got to stop it or something.”

Tommy Turner continued, “So I can’t sit here and say I know for sure that I’m going to beat Barrie Jones. But I can tell you right now that one of us is going to sleep. I don’t really feel too tired right now. So I plan on it being him.”

The post Tommy Turner on Barrie Jones Bout at BYB 18 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Marko Martinjak contends for the Police Gazette cruiserweight world diamond belt in a rematch against Jarome Hatch at BYB 18 on June 25th.

This huge cross-promotional event between BYB Extreme and BKB emanates from Indigo at The O2 Arena in London, England, and broadcasts in North America on BeIN Sports.

Martinjak spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this US versus UK showdown Excerpts from the chat are below.

Marko Martinjak

Were you expecting to get the immediate rematch versus Hatch after your initial historic fight in Dubai?

“Well listen, fight went like it went. I dropped him two times down and I felt cocky. I lower my guard and he caught me, you know. After the fight when they were stitching my ear, I talked to Jim (Freeman) from BKB. To him and I tell him listen, tell Mike (Vazquez) I want a rematch. I want the rematch in June because I know I’m a better fighter than him, you know. He caught me two times. Two times was enough to knock me out.”

“But personally everybody who saw the fight who were not fans of Jarome. The guys who are neutral, said I was better fighter and I should get the rematch. I get the rematch because of this. Some of the guys; listen it was a hairy knockout, you know. It was the first time somebody knock me out like that. Because I have over four hundred fights in boxing, amateur boxing, kickboxing, and stuff like that.”

Marko Martinjak continued, “Somebody would rest like six months no sparring sessions, no nothing. But not me, my head is crazy. I said to them if they want, I want to fight the next day. I have no problem with that.”

BYB vs BKB

As someone who fought on the first ever BKB event, how does it feel to be a part of this Ryder Cup-style BYB vs BKB card?

“Listen, from the first day I was fighting for them and fighting some like; It was a low class person. No offense to BKB but you have to start with something. But every show they have now is O2 Arena. So I don’t know any promotion in the world that gets five-six times a year this kind of arena. I’m very glad because I love BKB, I like to fight. I love bare knuckle and I’m really happy because I’m on the team of Team Europe and that is it.”

BYB 18

You’ve never once gone the distance in a bare-knuckle boxing bout. Does that trend continue on June 25th?

“Listen, in my fighting career, too many fights were robbed by the judges, you know. Like in professional boxing, I fought in Italy and I won against a guy but he won against me. Obviously I won and they gave him the win. I don’t like that, so I never leave stuff to judges and I always go for the win. Listen but this time I’m gonna out-box. I’m not gonna get into brawling with him. Gonna box him and I’m not going to talk pushing something. I will let him hit the floor.”

Photo via Boxing Domination on YouTube

Jarome Hatch vs Marko Martinjak II

There are several titles tied up in this fight. Can you speak to your championship status in BKB and the rich Police Gazette prize on the line here?

“Listen, I am already the BKB super middleweight champion and the Police Gazette super middleweight champion of the world. So like BYB and BKB have some similarities with the weights. But they call it cruiserweight, we call middleweight. So I think it’ll be the best that the orgnizations have. Same weights you know. So there is no confusion with that. Listen, every fight I fight is for a title.”

“I have like nine fights in bare knuckle, first fight was for the belt. Third fight was for the belt and every fight from then I was defending my cruiserweight belt. Then I won in December super middleweight, two belts. So yeah, I like belt so (laughs). Everybody likes belts.”

The post Marko Martinjak on Jarome Hatch Title Bout at BYB 18 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Barrie Jones and Tommy Turner battle for the Police Gazette middleweight world title at BYB 18 on June 25th.

This huge cross-promotional event between BYB Extreme and BKB emanates from Indigo at The O2 Arena in London, England, and broadcasts in North America on BeIN Sports.

Turner spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this US versus UK showdown. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Barrie Jones

You’re one of the BKB fighters who has that experience in the BYB Extreme Mighty Trigon already. Even though your debut win was sub-twenty seconds, does it still breed a certain level of familiarity as your return to the confined combative space?

“Well like you said to be honest, I wasn’t in there long enough to really notice any like major differences. But I’d done a bit of training in the week. Like you know in corners tight in case you get stuck in the corners. But I’m sure the next fight probably last a bit longer than my last one.”

What are some differences between fighting in the BKB ring versus battling in BYB Extreme’s Mighty Trigon?

“Yeah, obviously there’s not a lot of room to like kind of use your boxing abilities. If you need to use it, it’s a lot smaller. So you’re kind of forced into having a fight a little bit. The BKB rings are quite small anyways. So there’s not a lot of room in there either. But yeah you know like I said, I wasn’t in there for a long time. So I’m sure I’ll learn more like in my next fight.”

BYB vs BKB

Tommy Turner also had a succinct performance in the Trigon. What are your thoughts on what Turner brings to the table as a fighter?

“Yeah, like you said he stormed onto the scene. Obviously, I didn’t really know much about him until it was announced that I was fighting him. Obviously watched one or two clips but I don’t tend to watch or get into it too much. I just put the focus on myself and get myself my best condition. Then hopefully that’s good enough to win on the night. He looks really aggressive, strong. Looks, you know; he comes forward, he’s all action as well. So should be a good fight.”

What are your thoughts on this Police Gazette Cup, BYB vs BKB style cross-promotional event?

“Some people could be the best in the company or whatever. So you get other people saying oh why can’t he fight him? Or he’s better or he’s the best in the world. So it’s good when you’ve got cross-promotion fights. In fighting, sometimes you just need to see who’s the best, man. It’s more exciting to the fans. We’re literally going to see the better fighters from different promotions fighting each other.”

BYB 18

What is it like becoming a three-weight BKB world champion and being interwoven into the history of the Police Gazette belt too?

“When I first started out, there wasn’t a plan for that. I didn’t even think I was going to get a world title fight. I didn’t know what I was going to actually do with it all. But to win three titles in three different weight divisions is a major achievement. But to me like, I’ve already done that now. So you know I’ve got to focus on my next fight that I plan on winning. Because to be honest, if I lost my next fight it don’t mean nothing to me anymore like you know winning these titles.”

“So I don’t have something to hang onto… Yeah, it’s an amazing achievement. Scott Burt is always experienced too on the history about it (Police Gazette gold). It’s interesting. I swear like afterwards I’m finished maybe I’ll appreciate what I’ve done a little bit more than I actually do now. Because when you’re fighting, you’re kind of more focused on the fight rather than the actual title. But I do at the moment. But I’m sure once I’m done fighting and look back, it will be an amazing achievement.”

Photo via @bybextreme on Instagram

Barrie Jones vs Tommy Turner

Your bare knuckle record is 9-0 with eight finishes and six of them transpiring in round one. Do you have a certain visualization for what the outcome of this Turner fight will be or is it a flow state, be adaptable kind of approach?

“Yeah listen, it’s always nice to go in there and try to get ’em out early. But like in my last fight, I also learned that it’s not as simple as that. So you’ve got to prepare for every scenario and learn to adapt in the ring. Which I’m capable of doing like I can fight in there but if I need to, I’ll have to use my boxing skills.”

The post Barrie Jones on Tommy Turner Bout at BYB 18 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

Jarome Hatch defends his Police Gazette cruiserweight world diamond belt against Marko Martinjak in a rematch at BYB 18 on June 25th.

This huge cross-promotional event between BYB Extreme and BKB emanates from Indigo at The O2 Arena in London, England. The fistic fireworks broadcast in North America on BeIN Sports.

Hatch spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News before this US versus UK showdown. Excerpts from the chat are below.

Jarome Hatch

Can you speak to the pride you feel being interwoven into the rich lineage of the Police Gazette belt?

“I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was when I went to go and fight for it. It was just another fight for me and that’s what it will always be is just another fight. No one fight is more important than the other. I had a dynamic change in my mental state over the last year. Think things have really fallen into place with that. The Police Gazette, it was a huge thing because I’ve always wanted to just kind of stamp my name in history. That was one of the many ways I plan to do so.”

“That’s what I teach my kids, you know, is as a man all you have is your name and your word. So when they both jive with one another so I can really try to push being a good example for them and being able to accomplish things that was never a goal of mine. Like I said this has just been a hobby that has really taken off for me. Started to take it full-time along with other business ventures. But to have the oldest belt in combat history, you know, 1884, John L Sullivan, and all that, it was a huge thing.”

BYB vs BKB

“I actually have it displayed in my house right there. I’ve got my other one there and start chasing some more. To see where they all come from, it was like the first original belt, is awesome. To be able to have that and it’s mine. Something that my kids; I can pass down to my kids and give them something to also look forward to. Scott Burt, he really filled us in on the whole thing. I’ve done a lot of research on the Police Gazette, the foundation, the belt, and just kind of where it comes from. It’s amazing.”

What was it like making history in Dubai by bringing bare-knuckle boxing out there as you claimed the PG belt in the first fight versus Marko Martinjak?

“It was really good to actually go out there. Not only because it’s been a bucket list thing of mine. I did it to go out there and be able to experience that. Let this sport help me accomplish things on my bucket list as well with the traveling aspect of life. My profession was ironwork. So I build skyscrapers and ethanol plants, power plants, things like that. The power side of things into the plants with the iron and rigging. So the aspect of being able to go out there and see the architecture was incredible.”

“I was just going out there to fight. I was like well I mean, it’s just a fight. So I don’t ever think of fights, I don’t let them get to me. Just another day, it’s another fight. I’m comfortable in there. So to be able to go out there and like I said, it didn’t really hit me until after. Once I had known ok, it’s the first one in the Gulf region. It’s the first one here, this first, this first, and I was just; I was able to headline it, it was an incredible opportunity and I was able to capitalize on it. So I’m looking forward to the rematch.”

BYB 18

“I know their way around it as far as I think that he should have definitely fought a couple of other guys to make his way back up. But they’re doing a USA vs UK and BYB vs BKB, I think that, you know, as usual the Americans are gonna come out on top. No disrespect to the UK or to the people there. It takes a man to get in there and fight. But I believe in the team that we have with BYB and I believe in the Trigon. It’s definitely something that gives us the upper hand as well.”

Jarome Hatch continued, “To be able to do it with the first-ever Ryder Cup, Police Gazette Ryder Cup that they’re doing, that’s an incredible accomplishment too. So it’s good to be able to be a part of that and bringing that home as well. Along with bringing my belt back home.”

Jarome Hatch vs Marko Martinjak

Your bare knuckle record speaks volumes with 3-0 with all wins via first-round finish. Do you expect that trend to continue at BYB 18?

“Yes, sir. Yeah, I do plan to take him out quick. I know that the last time I came in kind of sloppy. He tagged me once really good and dropped me. The other time I was on the back of my heels. But whatever, they counted it, it doesn’t matter. Hit me right in the eyeball and I couldn’t see out of my left eye. So finally after I was trying to parry it, he caught me a couple more times after that. I still couldn’t see so I just finally said well, **** it.”

“So I closed my eye and then started to just kind of went in for it at that point. Then just fell back onto my natural instincts of what I’ve trained for. My coach, we’ve gotten it to where it’s just muscle memory. So no disrespect to him but with the training and stuff that I do with my coach and the things that we do, I could do with my eyes closed. With this rematch, I’ve always made the joke but I’m serious too they brought out the option on the last one, this time they better bring the casket.”

Jarome Hatch continued, “Because I’m not messing around with this guy. For him to want to take the rematch and I only hit him twice, so that’s fine. He’s got a whole new world coming. So let’s hope that he goes out quick or he’s going to take a beating.”

The post Jarome Hatch on Marko Martinjak Title Bout at BYB 18 appeared first on Bare Knuckle News.

James Lilley and Luis Palomino battle for the former’s BKFC lightweight title at BKFC 45 on June 23rd.

The fistic fireworks broadcast on Fite TV as well as the Bare Knuckle TV app. The pugilistic proceedings emanate from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Lilley spoke to Dylan Bowker of Bare Knuckle News to discuss the machinations of the matchup, maintaining a championship reign of over a thousand days versus trying to derail that momentum, and so much more. Excerpts from the chat are below.

James Lilley

Based on some interviews I’ve seen of yours, it seems like the focus was to always secure a Luis Palomino fight. Is that a fair characterization?

“Yeah, if like for example Alan Belcher was the number one pound for pound then maybe I wouldn’t go for that as much because he’s a much heavier fighter than me. But because it just so happens that the champion of my division is also considered the number one pound-for-pound in the whole organization then that’s the fight I want. I want to show the world what I’m all about. I love fighting.”

“If I was at the bottom of the pile, I’d still fight for as long as my body let me. But it just so happens that if you’re good at something and you’re consistent, you get the rankings and you get more plaudits. So they kind of go hand in hand. Yeah as I said, I’m just loving the fact that the best guy in the organization, I’m fighting.”

BKFC

Are you curating your camp to have sparring partners with similar body types to the champion replicate the stylistic attributes Palomino brings to the squared circle?

“To be honest, it’s hard to find people to sort of replicate Luis’ style. I think he’s got a very unique style where he fights in sort of phases where he’s like on you and then he backs off and he counters. It’s really hard to replicate that style. So I’ve had a variety of opponents. I’ve had guys who were experienced MMA fighters, experienced professional boxers, experienced bare-knuckle fighters. So I just have a variety of different fighters. That’s the best I can prepare. So it’s more about me getting sharp and changing.”

“Especially we’ve got like three or four different boys there and one of them’s a brawler, one of them’s a boxer, one of them likes to grab you. It’s nice to have that so you’ve got multiple game plans depending on how the fight goes.”

“It’s really hard to get someone; Bobby Taylor is a perfect example actually. We thought he was going to rush me and come on me straight away. As soon as the buzzer sounded, he took a step back and went on the back foot. So you can never predict what another man’s going to do. They’ve got certain styles and certain niches but it’s hard to actually predict what they’re going to do on the night.”

BKFC 45

Being a former BKB champion, how much would winning a BKFC title mean to the overall bare-knuckle resume/ legacy?

“For me, the goal wasn’t, I didn’t set out to become like world champ, you know, BKFC champion. My goal was to get over stateside and fight in America. I kind of take everything as a bonus. But as the ceiling got higher, as I sort of got into the rankings, and then beat this guy and beat that guy, I kind of got it in my sights that that’s something that I wanted. When I first started out doing sort of bare-knuckle and came over to BKFC, I never was like I want to be world champion.”

“I was just like right, let’s just see where this journey takes me. It’s only when I’ve had this consistency, I’ve had this good support team around me that were like right well where can we go with this? Luis Palomino was always going to be that guy. I’ll be honest, if he’d vacated or I was fighting someone else for an interim title, I’d kind of be a little bit more disappointed. Because he’s got this pound-for-pound status, he’s a two-weight champion.”

James Lilley continued, “So the belt is really icing on the cake. Actually getting to fight who many consider the best bare-knuckle fighter on the planet is more of an achievement. I’m just happy that it can come with a title, you know?”

Photo via @CSTodayNews on Twitter

James Lilley vs Luis Palomino

When I spoke to Luis Palomino he was playful with your nickname and said he had the aim to put your ‘Lights Out’. Do you have a particular prediction for how the story of this fight unfurls?

“Yeah, I think, you know, I’ve got great respect for Luis. He’s been a great champion but you know, all reigns have to come to an end. I think boldly I’m going to predict that I’m going to knock him out in the fifth round. I think I’m going to work him out early and then I’m going to shock the world as he tires. I’m going to get him out of there and I’m going to be the first Welshman to hold that BKFC belt. Then I’ll look forward to as an honorable man giving the champ a rematch in my hometown.”

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